Summary: Tier-one receivers are target monsters and offensive focal points, ideally with at least serviceable quarterback play and sustained track records of high-end production. Our generation’s version of Jerry Rice, Brown has been a top-three fantasy wideout in four straight seasons, leading the NFL twice in catches and twice in receiving yards during that span. Julio scored just three TDs last year despite finishing second in the NFL in receiving yards and is an easy positive touchdown-regression candidate. Thomas and Evans can be viewed similarly; both managed five TDs but have double-digit scores squarely in their range of potential outcomes. Hopkins was the overall WR1 from Weeks 2-8 with Deshaun Watson. Before last year’s season-ending ankle injury, Beckham was a top-five fantasy wideout in three straight years. Green has finished as a top-12 receiver in points per game in all seven of his NFL seasons. Adams and Baldwin are Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson’s No. 1 wideouts, respectively. Baldwin’s arrow is especially pointing up with Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson out of town and Seattle’s defense in disrepair, increasing Wilson’s pass-attempts projection and Baldwin’s raw targets expectation.

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Summary: Tier-two receivers offer tier-one upside but carry more risk and/or lower target projections. Jones passed Golden Tate as Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy last year, finishing as the overall WR4. Eric Ebron’s departure frees up 86 targets. Jones has been undervalued in early drafts I’ve done, routinely lasting until the sixth round. Hill exploded as last year’s overall WR5, but he ranked 22nd among wide receivers in targets (105) and is playing with a different quarterback while competing for looks with Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt, and highly-paid Sammy Watkins. Thielen and Diggs are co-No. 1s whose outlooks are improved by Kirk Cousins’ quarterback upgrade. The Raiders sound committed to making Cooper the focal point of their passing game. Hilton would be a tier-one candidate if we knew Andrew Luck would be ready for Week 1. Fitzgerald has 100-plus catches in three straight seasons, and Sam Bradford has leaned heavily on slot receivers from Danny Amendola to Jordan Matthews to Diggs. Jeffery took a while to get going in his first year as an Eagle, then exploded for 219 yards and three touchdowns in three playoff games. Despite his injury-prone reputation, Jeffery has played 16-game seasons in three of the last five years.

Summary: Tier-three receivers have warts but can flirt with WR1 value if things go their way. I dropped Cooks from tier two after his trade to L.A. to play Watkins' old coverage-changer role. I think Cooks will outproduce 2017 Watkins, but he'll have to do more with less on a balanced Rams offense where Woods, Kupp, and especially Todd Gurley command targets. Robinson should easily lead the Bears in targets. Funchess sits clearly atop a weak Carolina pass-catcher corps and offers double-digit TD upside in his contract year. Tate is a volatile week-to-week scorer, which matters less in best-ball formats. He has 90-plus receptions all three years in Detroit. Smith-Schuster was the overall WR20 as a rookie and has room for growth at age 21. Hogan and Edelman were both solidified in this tier by the Cooks trade, Hogan rising most as a trusted red-zone target for Tom Brady. Crowder and Garcon are Alex Smith and Jimmy Garoppolo’s projected No. 1 wideouts. Thomas and Sanders often last until the mid to late rounds and look like value picks. Agholor and Fuller are volatile WR3s with high game-to-game ceilings but low game-to-game floors.

Summary: These are WR3/4 picks with lower ceilings or raised risk. Crabtree is the heavy favorite to lead Baltimore in targets but turns 31 in September and downgraded quarterbacks from Derek Carr to Joe Flacco. Shepard's stock will rise when/if Brandon Marshall gets cut, and skyrocket if Odell Beckham gets traded. Landry is a volume-dependent scorer whose volume will take a big hit in Cleveland. In Tyrod Taylor’s three years as Buffalo’s quarterback, no Bills pass catcher ever topped 60 receptions. It’s unclear what Nelson has left after a miserable 2017 season. Now 33, Jordy has gone 18 straight games without reaching 80 yards. After a spotty rookie year, 2017 top-five pick Davis is a breakout candidate in Tennessee’s revised offense. Big-play specialist Anderson was cleared on felony charges but could still be at risk of a second conduct-policy suspension. Goodwin, Bryant, Parker, and Stills are big-play threats who lack consistency. Sanu and Matthews are not sexy picks but have locked-in roles with strong quarterback play and are always undervalued in drafts. Dez Bryant's stock plummeted when the Cowbuys cut him and threatens to plummet even more if he signs with the wrong team. On a personal note, I would love to see Dez in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers.

Summary: This is a mishmash of receivers with lower-volume projections, suspect quarterback play, recent dips in performance, and/or in-limbo roles. I really want to be bullish on Meredith on the Saints, but he tore his ACL and MCL last year and is a question mark until proven otherwise. Cobb’s outlook is enhanced by Jordy Nelson’s exit, but balanced by Jimmy Graham’s addition. Cobb hasn’t been a top-30 wideout since 2014. Jackson, Lockett, and Williams are intriguing late-round buy-low picks coming off down years. Lee and Richardson have job security after landing big-money deals, but must overcome average or below-average passing games. As a deep-threat contested-catch receiver, Richardson’s fit with arch-conservative Alex Smith remains to be seen. Golladay flashed big-time playmaking ability as a rookie but remains the Lions’ No. 3 receiver behind Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. Westbrook and Doctson don’t project for heavy volume in crowded passing games but offer high game-to-game ceilings. Benjamin is coming off another knee surgery. Matthews became an intriguing late-round flier when he signed with New England. Brown is the Ravens' latest attempt to find a deep threat for Joe Flacco.

Summary: Many members of tier six will elevate or fall off the radar altogether as the season approaches. They are worth late-pick consideration at the moment. Taylor is one of my favorite last-round picks as Jimmy Garoppolo's slot receiver. Hurns has an outside chance to be the Cowboys' No. 1 wideout this year. Incoming rookies Ridley, Moore, and Sutton all have chances to vault significantly based on the draft.

Summary: Tier-one receivers are target monsters and offensive focal points, ideally with at least serviceable quarterback play and sustained track records of high-end production. Our generation’s version of Jerry Rice, Brown has been a top-three fantasy wideout in four straight seasons, leading the NFL twice in catches and twice in receiving yards during that span. Julio scored just three TDs last year despite finishing second in the NFL in receiving yards and is an easy positive touchdown-regression candidate. Thomas and Evans can be viewed similarly; both managed five TDs but have double-digit scores squarely in their range of potential outcomes. Hopkins was the overall WR1 from Weeks 2-8 with Deshaun Watson. Before last year’s season-ending ankle injury, Beckham was a top-five fantasy wideout in three straight years. Green has finished as a top-12 receiver in points per game in all seven of his NFL seasons. Adams and Baldwin are Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson’s No. 1 wideouts, respectively. Baldwin’s arrow is especially pointing up with Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson out of town and Seattle’s defense in disrepair, increasing Wilson’s pass-attempts projection and Baldwin’s raw targets expectation.

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Summary: Tier-two receivers offer tier-one upside but carry more risk and/or lower target projections. Jones passed Golden Tate as Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy last year, finishing as the overall WR4. Eric Ebron’s departure frees up 86 targets. Jones has been undervalued in early drafts I’ve done, routinely lasting until the sixth round. Hill exploded as last year’s overall WR5, but he ranked 22nd among wide receivers in targets (105) and is playing with a different quarterback while competing for looks with Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt, and highly-paid Sammy Watkins. Thielen and Diggs are co-No. 1s whose outlooks are improved by Kirk Cousins’ quarterback upgrade. The Raiders sound committed to making Cooper the focal point of their passing game. Hilton would be a tier-one candidate if we knew Andrew Luck would be ready for Week 1. Fitzgerald has 100-plus catches in three straight seasons, and Sam Bradford has leaned heavily on slot receivers from Danny Amendola to Jordan Matthews to Diggs. Jeffery took a while to get going in his first year as an Eagle, then exploded for 219 yards and three touchdowns in three playoff games. Despite his injury-prone reputation, Jeffery has played 16-game seasons in three of the last five years.

Summary: Tier-three receivers have warts but can flirt with WR1 value if things go their way. I dropped Cooks from tier two after his trade to L.A. to play Watkins' old coverage-changer role. I think Cooks will outproduce 2017 Watkins, but he'll have to do more with less on a balanced Rams offense where Woods, Kupp, and especially Todd Gurley command targets. Robinson should easily lead the Bears in targets. Funchess sits clearly atop a weak Carolina pass-catcher corps and offers double-digit TD upside in his contract year. Tate is a volatile week-to-week scorer, which matters less in best-ball formats. He has 90-plus receptions all three years in Detroit. Smith-Schuster was the overall WR20 as a rookie and has room for growth at age 21. Hogan and Edelman were both solidified in this tier by the Cooks trade, Hogan rising most as a trusted red-zone target for Tom Brady. Crowder and Garcon are Alex Smith and Jimmy Garoppolo’s projected No. 1 wideouts. Thomas and Sanders often last until the mid to late rounds and look like value picks. Agholor and Fuller are volatile WR3s with high game-to-game ceilings but low game-to-game floors.

Summary: These are WR3/4 picks with lower ceilings or raised risk. Crabtree is the heavy favorite to lead Baltimore in targets but turns 31 in September and downgraded quarterbacks from Derek Carr to Joe Flacco. Shepard's stock will rise when/if Brandon Marshall gets cut, and skyrocket if Odell Beckham gets traded. Landry is a volume-dependent scorer whose volume will take a big hit in Cleveland. In Tyrod Taylor’s three years as Buffalo’s quarterback, no Bills pass catcher ever topped 60 receptions. It’s unclear what Nelson has left after a miserable 2017 season. Now 33, Jordy has gone 18 straight games without reaching 80 yards. After a spotty rookie year, 2017 top-five pick Davis is a breakout candidate in Tennessee’s revised offense. Big-play specialist Anderson was cleared on felony charges but could still be at risk of a second conduct-policy suspension. Goodwin, Bryant, Parker, and Stills are big-play threats who lack consistency. Sanu and Matthews are not sexy picks but have locked-in roles with strong quarterback play and are always undervalued in drafts. Dez Bryant's stock plummeted when the Cowbuys cut him and threatens to plummet even more if he signs with the wrong team. On a personal note, I would love to see Dez in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers.

Summary: This is a mishmash of receivers with lower-volume projections, suspect quarterback play, recent dips in performance, and/or in-limbo roles. I really want to be bullish on Meredith on the Saints, but he tore his ACL and MCL last year and is a question mark until proven otherwise. Cobb’s outlook is enhanced by Jordy Nelson’s exit, but balanced by Jimmy Graham’s addition. Cobb hasn’t been a top-30 wideout since 2014. Jackson, Lockett, and Williams are intriguing late-round buy-low picks coming off down years. Lee and Richardson have job security after landing big-money deals, but must overcome average or below-average passing games. As a deep-threat contested-catch receiver, Richardson’s fit with arch-conservative Alex Smith remains to be seen. Golladay flashed big-time playmaking ability as a rookie but remains the Lions’ No. 3 receiver behind Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. Westbrook and Doctson don’t project for heavy volume in crowded passing games but offer high game-to-game ceilings. Benjamin is coming off another knee surgery. Matthews became an intriguing late-round flier when he signed with New England. Brown is the Ravens' latest attempt to find a deep threat for Joe Flacco.

Summary: Many members of tier six will elevate or fall off the radar altogether as the season approaches. They are worth late-pick consideration at the moment. Taylor is one of my favorite last-round picks as Jimmy Garoppolo's slot receiver. Hurns has an outside chance to be the Cowboys' No. 1 wideout this year. Incoming rookies Ridley, Moore, and Sutton all have chances to vault significantly based on the draft.

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